This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of administrative tasks. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Delete unused files in /tmp
Option B is correct because the /tmp directory typically contains temporary files that can be safely deleted without affecting system operation. Since the root partition is at 80% usage, clearing out /tmp can reclaim significant space, especially on systems where applications or users have left large temporary files. The 'rm -rf /tmp/*' command or using tmpwatch/systemd-tmpfiles can free up space immediately.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Increase the size of /dev/sda1
Why it's wrong here
Requires free space in volume group; not directly reducing usage.
✓
Delete unused files in /tmp
Why this is correct
If /tmp is on root, this directly frees space.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Run 'du -sh /home' to find large files
Why it's wrong here
This only finds files, does not reduce space.
✗
Move some files from /home to /
Why it's wrong here
This would increase usage on root.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose option C (running 'du -sh /home') because they think identifying large files is the same as freeing space, but the question asks for an action that reduces usage, not just reports it.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the root partition (/) contains critical system directories like /tmp, /var, and /etc. The /tmp directory is often mounted as a tmpfs in modern systems, but if it is on disk, clearing it can reclaim blocks from the filesystem. The 'du' command reads directory metadata to calculate disk usage, but it does not delete anything; it only reports. The trap here is that candidates may confuse identifying large files with actually freeing space.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the LPIC-1 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Administrative Tasks — This question tests Administrative Tasks — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Delete unused files in /tmp — Option B is correct because the /tmp directory typically contains temporary files that can be safely deleted without affecting system operation. Since the root partition is at 80% usage, clearing out /tmp can reclaim significant space, especially on systems where applications or users have left large temporary files. The 'rm -rf /tmp/*' command or using tmpwatch/systemd-tmpfiles can free up space immediately.
What should I do if I get this LPIC-1 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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